Lorraine and Shannon Freedle, director and CEO of TeamBuilders react after the decision was made to give employees and HSD, notification of a 30-day intent to terminate the contract to provide mental and behavioral health services to low-income clients. (Courtesy )

For 18 years, TeamBuilders has proudly provided vital community-based mental health services to New Mexico children and families in need and now serves 23 counties and 15 Native American communities. Year after year, TeamBuilders has received outstanding audit results and numerous agency certifications, including certifications citing TeamBuilders status as "exemplary." Our team of over 700 committed employees and foster parents make this possible.

The Human Services Department of the State of New Mexico ("HSD") recently informed TeamBuilders that it was withholding funding because of the results of an audit performed by an outside company. TeamBuilders has asked for a copy of the audit and a description of the specific audit findings, so it could address any concerns and respond to the allegations and this unexpected decision. To date, HSD has refused to provide TeamBuilders with the audit or provide any specifics regarding the allegations against TeamBuilders.

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Pursuant to applicable law, TeamBuilders filed a good cause request, asking HSD to release the funding necessary to allow TeamBuilders to continue to provide needed care to its patients. Just this week, HSD sent TeamBuilders a form letter denying the request. In a public forum this week, a representative of HSD admitted that the criteria it used to review the good cause request was not the criteria called for under applicable law.

As a result of HSD's sudden and unexpected decision to withhold funding from TeamBuilders, while refusing to provide TeamBuilders with the allegations used to justify that decision, TeamBuilders cannot continue to provide the care its patients deserve.

HSD's decision to deny TeamBuilders the opportunity to respond to the allegations is disappointing and unfortunate. But our primary concern is for the patients in need and TeamBuilders cannot continue to provide those patients with the necessary care under the conditions brought about by HSD. Therefore, TeamBuilders has today served notice of breach and 30- day notice of termination of its contract with United Behavioral Health, the company through which HSD had funded TeamBuilders. It is our hope that the breach will be cured and we can move forward.

Out of respect and concern for our patients, and even though HSD has made no commitment to fund operations, we will continue to provide services to patients for the next 30 days. TeamBuilders will work with whatever organization HSD designates to provide as smooth a transition for its patients as possible. As of today, HSD has not notified TeamBuilders of the identity of its transitional representative. TeamBuilders hopes that HSD will move quickly to provide the necessary transitional information and resources so that TeamBuilders patients will not be more adversely affected than necessary.

TeamBuilders is proud of the care it has provided to thousands of children and families, and extends its heartfelt appreciation to our staff and foster parents.

In a letter issued to TeamBuilders employees, Shannon and Lorraine Freedle, issued the following statement: "It is with overwhelming sadness that we must inform you that the TeamBuilders Governing Board met last night to discuss the situation and due to the unexpected complete cut off of funding, under their direction we have today provided 30 day notice of breach and 30 day notice of termination to HSD and United Healthcare/OptumHealth New Mexico, the State's behavioral health single payer. We have again asked for immediate assistance in transitioning all of you and those you care for to new management so that the vital services we provide will not be interrupted.

"Because we have not been provided basic information regarding the situation, the incoming managing agency or the intended methodology for engaging in the transition process, we must inform each of you that unless this breach is cured, this may result in a permanent termination of, or interruption in employment for all positions within the organization at all locations, and a shutdown of all our operations in the State, starting 30 days from today. Additional information will be forthcoming."

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